Improvement in firemen s extension-ladders



2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

G. w. HARRIS. Firemens Extension-Ladders.

Patented Dec. 23,1873.

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e. w. HAnnis. Fir-emens Extension-Ladders.

Patented Dec. 23,1873.

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U NrTED STATES PATENT CEFIGE.-

GEORGE W. HARRIS, OF LANCASTER, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIREMENS EXTENSION-LADDAERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,867, dated December 23, 1873; application filed September 10, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE WRIGHT HAE- RIs, of Lancaster, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes and Hose-Elevators, of which the following is a specification The object of this invention is to provide a combined fire-escape and hose-elevator by means of a series of extensible ladders; and the invention consists in the construction of these ladders, the appliances to elevate and lower them, and in the construction of the truck or carriage, all to be hereinafter explained.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a vertical section through the middle of the ladders and truck 5 Figs. 2 and 3, detail views 5 Fig. 4, a plan.

A' A" A represent three horizontal framepieces, attached to the front and back bolsters B B', which set on axles a a, mounted on wheels. These form the truck or carriage. On the forward bolster, and swinging up and down on a pin or hinge, b, is the main ladder C of the fire-escape, which carries with it other ladders, their construction to be hereinafter explained. To the under side of the main ladder C, at the top, are attached two swinging props or supports, c c, their lower ends provided with rollers d cl, which run in itrackways D D, set each side of the center piece A, and hinged at the back ends, so that the front ends will drop down, lowering the ends of the props at the same time, ready for raising the ladder, thus presenting less resistance to the movements of the props. This dropping of the trackways is a -very important feature of my invention, in connection with the props for supporting and raising the ladders, as by them a purchase is obtained which aids greatly in overcoming the resistance caused by the Weight of the ladders overhanging the truck. If these trackways were always level, it would be almost impossible to raise the ladders. The trackways, after the ladders are lowered, are raised up and fast ened in a horizont-al position, and will be held, while raised or lowered, by chains.

rI he ladders are raised by the props c c, as follows: To the lower end of each prop is fastened a chain or rope, c, which runs rst over a pulley, f, set in the back end of the tracks, and from thence underneath the truck to drums g g on a shaft, z', which has its bearings in a supplementary frame, h h', attached underneath the truck frame A A. These drums are rotated and the ladders raised by a worm-wheel, E, on shaft c', operated by a worm-rod, j, with a crank or its equivalent, k, in front of the truck; or the worm may be operated from the side by similar means.

The main ladder C is constructed with side pieces or shelves Z Z, cut with the grain of the wood, and set on edgewise onto the outside of the ladder, as shown, not only to strengthen it and prevent any side swaying, but also for the purpose of providing a shelf on which hose can be elevated and rest, thus removing the hose from the way of the liremen ascending and descending the ladders, and also obviating friction and indentation of the hose by the rungs. The hose will be strapped or hooked on, as is usual. A second ladder, C', is constructed in the same manner, with the side pieces l', and sliding in metal grooves or bands m m, fastened to the sides near the top of the main ladder. The shelves l of the second ladder also rest and slide on the side pieces of the main ladder. The second ladder -is elevated by means of a cord or its equivalent, a, attached to the bottom of the ladder, the cord running over a grooved roller, o, in the top of the main ladder, and passing down over a grooved wheel, p, set in the center piece A of the frame, thence back over a spring-windlass, s, or other device set at the rear or side of the truck; or it may be elevated by the forward crank 7c and worm j.

The object of making the bolsters B B rocking is to provide against the slanting of the ground where the surface is not level, and, by means of screw-pins F F, sitting in extena sion side pieces q q, sliding in the main frame, prevent any side inclination of the ladders when elevated on uneven ground; also to anchor the truck. One screw-pin will be screwed into the groimd on the slanting side, thus elevating that side of the truck and tilting the bolsters to the necessary an gle-until the ladders stand straight.

The working of the fire-escape and hose-elel vater is as follows: The truck will be brought to the proper position, and if the street is narrow' the trackways D will first be dropped; and the main ladder C will be elevated by the crank 7c and other described devices, and then the truck backed into position and anchored by the extensible frames q q and screw-pins F F. To reach a greater height, the second ladder C is elevated by the crank s at the rear of the truck. These two ladders will usually be of sufficient length for all ordinary buildings; but a light supplementary ladder or ladders will accompany the truck, which can beeasily carried up by hand, and will be provided with double hooks, which will set on the rungs of the other ladder G. By these any desired height may be reached. 4

The second ladder will usually slide down of its own weight, when it isv desired to lower it, by merely throwing the springpawl on the elevating-windlass out of gear.

The props c c may be made of metal and tubular, and the whole machine will combine lightness with strength.

l. In combination with the swinging props c c, pivoted to the ladders C, and the hinged trackways D D, the gear-wheel E, longitudinal worm-rodj, and cords c e, all constructed and operating substantially as described.

2. The trackways D D, hinged on the bolster B', and in combination with the props c c, as and for the purpose specified.

3. The construction of the iire-escape truck, consisting of the horizontal pieces A A A, the bolsters B B, and the supplementary frames 7L h', substantially as hereinbefore specified. Y n

In witness whereof l have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: G. W. HARRIS.

J. R. BRAKE, T. H. PnusoNs. 

